This is officially the first August in well over a decade that our front porch is not “hidden” by gigantic hydrangeas… and I love the simplified look!
Here’s what it looked like before this past spring, when we transplanted the hydrangeas and changed the bedline on the front of our house.
It’s a slightly different angle, but you get the idea — still super pretty, but it was starting to feel like “too much”.
We’ll have a lot more color next summer when the roses are healthier (we had to transplant many of those too, and they haven’t bloomed as much this year).
I was worried I might regret moving the hydranges… but it has been so nice to have smaller beds, cleaner lines, and the ability to actually see out of our front windows!
Plus, we still have thousands of hydrangea blooms around our property.
Favorite Moment = The Mundane
As many of you know, Dave and I aren’t big travelers — mainly because neither of us wants to do the work of planning vacations, trips, excursions, etc.
Plus, it just feels like so much unnecessary work, time, energy, and money to leave our home, when we all really like being home.
In comparison with most families, we have very “boring” summers. Thankfully, I don’t care about keeping up with the Jones’… and I absolutely love our boring, mundane summer days at home together (most of the time!)
Truthfully, we do all sorts of little fun things — a picnic lunch, friends over for pool parties, an ice cream or slushy run in the middle of the afternoon, mornings at the zoo with neighbors, Rebounderz on rainy days, impromptu kickball games in the backyard, movie nights, bonfires, hot tubbing under the lights…
Nothing fancy, nothing over-the-top, probably nothing the kids will be overly excited to share on the first day of school. But I have no regrets, nor do I wish for a different way to spend our 10 glorious weeks of summer.
My kids might resent their lack of family vacations at some point, and they may choose to do it differently with their kids. But I think they secretly love our slow summers at home together. 🥰
RELATED READING: Upgrading the Everyday
Favorite Routine = Waking Up On Time
I alluded to this in one of my weekly newsletters earlier this summer — the fact that for the first time in roughly 15 years, Dave and I are actually waking up “on time” (6:15ish) by our own choosing, every weekday over the summer.
Normally, we are morning people and wake up much earlier than 6:15. But over the summer months, we’ve always enjoyed sleeping in (see note above about our slow summers at home).
Every spring, we give ourselves a pep talk, trying to convince ourselves that we should continue waking up early throughout the summer… but then June rolls around and we find ourselves sleeping in until 8:30 all summer long.
Not this year!
We literally have 2 extra hours every day (while the kids are still sleeping)! I’ve been going to a weightlifting class at 6:30 and Dave has been running. Then we jump in the pool, sit in the hot tub, and make breakfast as the kids start to wake up.
It’s likely a much better use of our time than sleeping… and it feels good to get a few things crossed off our list before the rest of the family wakes up.
No promises that we’ll stick with early mornings next summer… but for now, it’s been a very good routine for us.
Past Favorite = Bunch O Balloons
I first shared self-filling water balloons as a Favorite Thing back in 2017, and ever since then, we’ve needed to buy at least one “Bunch O Balloons” every summer for an epic (and very easy) water balloon fight.
While my preference would simply be “no water balloons”, the kids love them. And… if you’re going to do water balloons, these are one of the best inventions ever, especially as someone who has issues tying balloon ends into knots!
I’m still not sure how they work so well, but I do know that I can fill up hundreds of water balloons in just minutes using their quick and easy method. Costco usually sells giant packs every spring, but if you miss those, you can stock up on Amazon any time of year!
Favorite Clothing = Athletic Shorts
Believe it or not, I haven’t gotten a new pair of athletic shorts since college! I had some sweatpant material shorts and linen shorts, but nothing light-weight or quick-dry… until I found this 5-pack on Amazon with really great reviews.
These shorts are super lightweight, extremely comfortable, and can easily be “dressed up” a bit with a casual shirt for running errands.
They are perfect for yard work as they dry quickly and have zippered pockets to keep things from falling out while I walk through the yard.
They also have a built-in “liner” so your underwear doesn’t show — and honestly, they aren’t as short as the picture above shows them to be.
I’ve been living in these shorts all summer and consider them a fantastic wardrobe “investment”.
Favorite Book = Little House Series
Often in the summer, I reread the Little House on the Prairie series. I know it might sound cliché, but it truly is one of my favorite book series — and some of the only books I’ve read more than once.
As a girl, I wished I lived “back then”. Now, I’m more practical and realize I would never actually want to live without indoor plumbing, heated water, and refrigeration… but it’s still fun to think back on what life was like for so many Americans as they settled out West.
The books are mostly quick and easy reads (outside of the Long Winter — which, in my opinion, is much too long!)
READ THE BOOKS: Little House on the Prairie Series
Favorite Media = Frozen Musical
We recently watched the Frozen Broadway Musical (on Disney+) and it was absolutely AMAZING!
We had to pause and “rewind” it a few times because the special effects were so fantastic. We’re still not sure how Elsa’s costume “flew off” towards the end when she magically morphed into a new outfit on center stage.
Obviously, the singing and acting were superb as well — totally worth whatever we’re paying for Disney+ these days!
Favorite Hobby = Decorating on a Dime
Since childhood, I’ve taken great joy in transforming spaces with items I already have on hand or frugal thrift store finds. It’s so much more fun than buying brand new; plus, there’s no buyer’s remorse if I decide I don’t love something after a few months.
I haven’t had a chance to totally overhaul a space in a while, so it was fun to do this little office at our church.
For less than $200, I purchased everything in the picture below to create a cozy little space with a Mid-Century Modern flair (at least that’s what I was going for)!
Every item came from a thrift store or Facebook Marketplace. 😊
Yes, there’s a chip on the top of the table, a few scratches on the wall-side of the loveseat, and a frayed corner on the rug… but they honestly aren’t super visible, even in person (certainly not in pictures).
I could have easily spent thousands creating this same look. The quality would have been superior, but likely not necessary for what this space will be used for. And now it won’t matter nearly as much if things get broken or banged up a bit.
Another fun way to overhaul your space on a tiny budget is to rearrange the furniture in a room OR rearrange full rooms in your home. We did this a few years ago, and it was so much fun!
Favorite Recipe = Zucchini Banana Sheet Cake
Need a delicious recipe that will feed a crowd and use up a bunch of farm-fresh zucchini?
Try this easy zucchini banana sheet cake! It’s a one-bowl kind of recipe, with a really yummy cream cheese frosting that is nearly impossible to mess up.
TRY THE RECIPE: Zucchini Banana Sheet Cake.
Favorite Archived Post
One of my best tips for saving space (and money) is not buying “sets” of things — except socks, that’s OK in my book!
We have sets of luggage, but really only need 1 or 2 sizes.
We have sets of knives, but use the same 4 over and over while the others collect dust.
We have sets of bedding when we really only like the comforter, and end up storing the sheets just in case we need them someday.
You get the idea…
We likely all have partial sets lying in the back of our storage closet, the corners of our attic, or the bins in our basement… items we don’t need, use, want, or love… but is it really OK to donate or sell just part of a set?
Yes, yes, yes!!!
If you want to save space, separate your sets and only keep the items you DO need, use, want, and love.
Read the full posts here: Save Space by Separating Sets.
That’s all for this month. 😆
If you’re interested, you may scroll through all my Favorite Things posts HERE!
Nancy says
This is off the subject but I know your family loves family photos. We got a digital picture frame recently. I have never had one and it’s a lot of fun. Mine is Frameo from Amazon but there are lots of brands.
Nancy says
I also have the Costco glass sets and they’re so much more pleasant to use. No staining, freezer to oven or microwave. The lids are plastic, but dishwasher safe, they haven’t warped. They are a little heavier if you pack your lunch to work.
Heather says
I love how you’ve redone your front flower beds (they were beautiful as well before, but the simplicity looks so nice).
It looks like you and your family have had a wonderful summer. I would love to hear more about your weightlifting class. Enjoy your last part of the summer!
Kathy says
After using Tupperware for years, I switched to glass about 5 years ago. I bought several sets at Costco. Like that they don’t stain, lids are easy to snap on and stay on, and they go in the microwave. I try to keep a stack of the reusable disposable containers from Costco for “sharing” with others or if I know I’m sending food home with friends or family. And I didn’t put Tupperware in my dishwasher, but I do the glass ones, although they are very easy and quick to handwash.
Linda says
I got rid of the plastic in my kitchen this past year. I purchased these glass containers on Amazon. I love them!
https://a.co/d/ed5pMnP
Lana Wallace says
I swapped to glass containers a couple of years ago and have zero regrets. The containers still look brand new, since there is no staining, etc. Also, love that I can pop them in the oven to reheat leftovers.
Jennifer Renard says
From your email question about plastic or glass containers….I switched to glass and absolutely love it! No stains, stays put better in the cabinet, I think they are better looking as well.
Kim says
Who is the author of the book, Hope, that is shown stacked next to the Little House books in the picture?
Thank you!
DONNA MARIE says
Again, a great blog!!!
Clare says
I love the Little House series too. They were my favourite books as a child and I still love them as an adult. If you’re interested in the history behind the stories I can highly recommend the Laura Ingalls Wilder biography Prairie Fires. It’s a great book and won the Pulitzer prize.
Tammy Burns says
What’s your favorite Little House book? I have especially loved Farmer Boy.